5@5: PFAS found in bottled water | Colorado to expand farmworker rights
Each day at 5 p.m. we collect the five top food and supplement headlines of the day, making it easy for you to catch up on today's most important natural products industry news.
June 18, 2021
New study finds PFAS in bottled water, as lawmakers call for federal limits
The contamination continues. Some bottled water products sold in the U.S. were found to contain potentially toxic PFAS chemicals, as part of a study led by Johns Hopkins University researchers. The study, which was published in the journal Water Research and reported on by Consumer Reports, found that PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, were present in 39 out of more than 100 bottled waters tested. The continuing findings of this class of chemicals in consumer products is prompting calls for the federal government to set standards around these "forever chemicals."
Colorado set to expand rights for farmworkers
Colorado Governor Jared Polis is expected to sign Senate Bill 87, the first of its kind to go beyond pay increases to address historically racist labor policies and consider farmworkers' well-being. The bill, known as the Farmworker Bill of Rights would close the gap that excludes farmworkers from overtime pay, and the right to unionize, both standing in other industries. Colorado would join states like New York and Washington, which have recently approved farmworker labor laws, with others likely to follow. Modern Farmer provides context.
Biden administration unveils $3.2 billion hunt for pill to treat COVID-19, other viruses
Epidemiologists agree that zoonotic diseases will continue to be a problem if the world fails to make changes to prevent this type of transmission. The Biden administration is preparing for that inevitability by investing $3.2 billion to speed the development of antiviral pills that could treat COVID-19 and similar viruses, similar to those that have been developed to treat HIV and Hepatitis C. The Antiviral Program of Pandemics would accelerate and expand support for clinical trials, with the hopes of an antiviral treatment for COVID-19 approved by the FDA within a year. The Huffington Post explains.
CVS and Walgreens were reeling. Now they’re riding a COVID-19 wave
America's drugstore giants, CVS and Walgreens, lost revenue in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic caused consumers to stay home and skip routine medical care. But this spring the companies turned a corner and the pandemic became a moneymaker. Those who are coming into the stores to receive are also spending more money while they're there, and even switching their prescriptions to the chain where they got their shots. The Wall Street Journal reports.
Upcycled Food Association launches open enrollment as upcycling momentum grows
It was announced this week that ReGrained's flour is the first ingredient in the world to receive the Upcycled Food Certification, announced this week. After a year of steady progress, the certifier, the Upcycled Food Association, has also opened the doors for anyone who wants to apply for the certification, which launched at the beginning of 2021. The Spoon has the scoop.
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